U.S. patent number 9,785,351 [Application Number 14/318,790] was granted by the patent office on 2017-10-10 for distributed storage network for storing a data object based on storage requirements.
This patent grant is currently assigned to International Business Machines Corporation. The grantee listed for this patent is CLEVERSAFE, INC.. Invention is credited to Andrew Baptist, Greg Dhuse, S. Christopher Gladwin, Wesley Leggette, Jason K. Resch.
United States Patent |
9,785,351 |
Resch , et al. |
October 10, 2017 |
Distributed storage network for storing a data object based on
storage requirements
Abstract
A distributed storage network (DSN) includes a user device and a
plurality of DSN memories, wherein each of the DSN memories
includes a plurality of storage units. The user device includes at
least one network interface to the plurality of DSN memories and at
least one processing module that is operable to determine one of
the plurality of DSN memories for storing a data object based on a
comparison of one or more storage requirements of the data object
and one or more DSN attributes of the plurality of DSN
memories.
Inventors: |
Resch; Jason K. (Chicago,
IL), Leggette; Wesley (Chicago, IL), Gladwin; S.
Christopher (Chicago, IL), Dhuse; Greg (Chicago, IL),
Baptist; Andrew (Mt. Pleasant, WI) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CLEVERSAFE, INC. |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
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Assignee: |
International Business Machines
Corporation (Armonk, NY)
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Family
ID: |
43926546 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/318,790 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2014 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20140317224 A1 |
Oct 23, 2014 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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12839181 |
Jul 19, 2010 |
8769035 |
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61256436 |
Oct 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F
3/067 (20130101); G06F 11/1092 (20130101); G06F
11/1076 (20130101); H04N 21/218 (20130101); G06F
3/061 (20130101); H04N 21/20 (20130101); H04L
67/1097 (20130101); G06F 2211/1028 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
3/06 (20060101); H04N 21/218 (20110101); H04N
21/20 (20110101); G06F 11/10 (20060101); H04L
29/08 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Other References
Kubiatowicz, et al.; OceanStore: An Architecture for Global-Scale
Persistent Storage; Proceedings of the Ninth International
Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and
Operating Systems (ASPLOS 2000); Nov. 2000; pp. 1-12. cited by
applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Zhang; Shirley
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Garlick & Markison Markison;
Timothy W. Markison; Patricia A.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS
The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority
pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility
application Ser. No. 12/839,181, entitled "DISTRIBUTED STORAGE
NETWORK FOR STORING A DATA OBJECT BASED ON STORAGE REQUIREMENTS",
filed Jul. 19, 2010, which claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/256,436,
entitled "DISTRIBUTED STORAGE NETWORK ACCESS", filed Oct. 30, 2009,
both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent
application for all purposes.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method comprises: selecting, by a user device of a distributed
storage network (DSN), one of a plurality of distributed storage
(DS) processing units based on one or more DS processing attributes
to produce a selected DS processing unit; selecting, by the user
device, a set of storage units of a plurality of sets of storage
units based on one or more storage attributes to produce a selected
set of storage units by: determining, by the user device, one or
more desired processing requirements of a data object and a data
object priority level; receiving, by the user device, the one or
more storage attributes from a plurality of sets of storage units
of one or more DSNs; comparing, by the user device, the one or more
desired processing requirements with the one or more storage
attributes; and assigning, by the user device, a priority level to
each of the one or more desired processing requirements based on
the data object priority level, wherein a first storage requirement
of one or more desired storage requirements has a first higher
priority level and a second storage requirement of the one or more
desired storage requirements has a second lower priority level;
allocating, by the user device, a greater weight to a first
favorable comparison between a first storage attribute of the one
or more storage attributes and the first storage requirement with
the first higher priority level; and allocating, by the user
device, a lesser weight to a second favorable comparison between a
second storage attribute of the one or more storage attributes and
the second storage requirement with the second lower priority
level; selecting, by the user device, the selected set of storage
units based on a weighted favorable comparison of the one or more
desired processing requirements and the one or more storage
attributes; and sending, by the user device, a storage request
message regarding storage of a data object to the selected DS
processing unit, wherein the storage request message includes
identity of the selected set of storage units; dispersed storage
error encoding, by the selected DS processing unit, the data object
into a plurality of sets of encoded data slices; and sending, by
the selected DS processing unit, the plurality of sets of encoded
data slices to the selected set of storage units.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting the one of the
plurality of DS processing units based on the one or more DS
processing attributes comprises: determining, by the user device,
one or more desired processing requirements of the data object;
receiving, by the user device, the one or more DS processing
attributes from one or more DS processing units of one or more
DSNs; comparing, by the user device, the one or more desired
processing requirements with the one or more DS processing
attributes; and selecting, by the user device, the selected DS
processing unit based on a favorable comparison of the one or more
desired processing requirements and the one or more DS processing
attributes.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more storage
attributes include one or more of: cost, geographic location,
geographic diversity, performance, reliability, latency, capacity,
load, and availability.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more DS processing
attributes include one or more of: availability, reliability,
performance history, link speed, link latency, service provider,
capacity, capabilities, cost, data ownership, and contractual
service obligations.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprises: transmitting, by the
user device, an address update message to a DS managing unit of the
DSN to update a user vault with the selected set of storage units
for the data object.
6. A storage device comprises: a first storage element that stores
operational instructions that, when executed by a user device of a
distributed storage network (DSN), causes the user device to select
one of a plurality of distributed storage (DS) processing units
based on one or more DS processing attributes to produce a selected
DS processing unit; a second storage element that stores
operational instructions that, when executed by the user device,
causes the user device to select a set of storage units of a
plurality of sets of storage units based on one or more storage
attributes to produce a selected set of storage units by:
determining one or more desired processing requirements of a data
object and a data object priority level; receiving the one or more
storage attributes from the plurality of sets of storage units of
one or more DSNs; comparing the one or more desired processing
requirements with the one or more storage attributes; and assigning
a priority level to each of the one or more desired processing
requirements based on the data object priority level, wherein a
first storage requirement of one or more desired storage
requirements has a first higher priority level and a second storage
requirement of the one or more desired storage requirements has a
second lower priority level; allocating a greater weight to a first
favorable comparison between a first storage attribute of the one
or more storage attributes and the first storage requirement with
the first higher priority level; and allocating a lesser weight to
a second favorable comparison between a second storage attribute of
the one or more storage attributes and the second storage
requirement with the second lower priority level; and selecting the
selected set of storage units based on a favorable weighted
comparison of the one or more desired processing requirements and
the one or more storage attributes; and a third storage element
that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the
user device, causes the user device to send a storage request
message regarding storage of a data object to the selected DS
processing unit, wherein the storage request message includes
identity of the selected set of storage units; a fourth storage
element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by
the selected DS processing unit, causes the selected DS processing
unit to dispersed storage error encode the data object into a
plurality of sets of encoded data slices; and a fifth storage
element that stores operational instructions that, when executed by
the selected DS processing unit, causes the selected DS processing
unit to send the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to the
selected set of storage units.
7. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the first storage element
further stores operational instructions that, when executed by the
user device, causes the user device to select the one of the
plurality of DS processing units based on the one or more DS
processing attributes by: determining one or more desired
processing requirements of the data object; receiving the one or
more DS processing attributes from one or more DS processing units
of one or more DSNs; comparing the one or more desired processing
requirements with the one or more DS processing attributes; and
selecting the selected DS processing unit based on a favorable
comparison of the one or more desired processing requirements and
the one or more DS processing attributes.
8. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the one or more storage
attributes include one or more of: cost, geographic location,
geographic diversity, performance, reliability, latency, capacity,
load, and availability.
9. The storage device of claim 6, wherein the one or more DS
processing attributes include one or more of: availability,
reliability, performance history, link speed, link latency, service
provider, capacity, capabilities, cost, data ownership, and
contractual service obligations.
Description
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computing systems and more
particularly to data storage within such computing systems.
Description of Related Art
This invention relates generally to computing systems and more
particularly to data storage solutions within such computing
systems.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Computers are known to communicate, process, and store data. Such
computers range from wireless smart phones to data centers that
support millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line
purchases every day. In general, a computing system generates data
and/or manipulates data from one form into another. For instance,
an image sensor of the computing system generates raw picture data
and using an image compression program (e.g., JPEG, MPEG, etc.),
the computing system manipulates the raw picture data into a
standardized compressed image.
With continued advances in processing speed and communication
speed, computers are capable of processing real time multimedia
data for applications ranging from simple voice communications to
streaming high definition video. As such, general-purpose
information appliances are replacing purpose-built communications
devices (e.g., a telephone). For example, smart phones can support
telephony communications but they are also capable of text
messaging and accessing the internet to perform functions including
email, web browsing, remote applications access, and media
communications (e.g., telephony voice, image transfer, music files,
video files, real time video streaming, etc.).
Each type of computer is constructed and operates in accordance
with one or more communication, processing, and storage standards.
As a result of standardization and with advances in technology,
more and more information content is being converted into digital
formats. For example, more digital cameras are now being sold than
film cameras, thus producing more digital pictures. As another
example, web-based programming is becoming an alternative to over
the air television broadcasts and/or cable broadcasts. As further
examples, papers, books, video entertainment, home video, etc. are
now being stored digitally. This increased storage of information
content increases the demand on the storage function of
computers.
A typical computer storage system includes one or more memory
devices aligned with the needs of the various operational aspects
of the computer's processing and communication functions.
Generally, the immediacy of access dictates what type of memory
device is used. For example, random access memory (RAM) memory can
be accessed in any random order with a constant response time, thus
it is typically used for cache memory and main memory. By contrast,
memory device technologies that require physical movement such as
magnetic disks, tapes, and optical discs, have a variable response
time as the physical movement can take longer than the data
transfer, thus they are typically used for secondary memory (e.g.,
hard drive, backup memory, etc.).
A computer's storage system will be compliant with one or more
computer storage standards that include, but are not limited to,
network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file
system (DFS), small computer system interface (SCSI), internet
small computer system interface (iSCSI), file transfer protocol
(FTP), and web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV).
These standards specify the data storage format (e.g., files, data
objects, data blocks, directories, etc.) and interfacing between
the computer's processing function and its storage system, which is
a primary function of the computer's memory controller.
Despite the standardization of the computer and its storage system,
memory devices fail; especially commercial grade memory devices
that utilize technologies incorporating physical movement (e.g., a
disc drive). For example, it is fairly common for a disc drive to
routinely suffer from bit level corruption and to completely fail
after three years of use. One solution is to utilize a higher-grade
disc drive, which adds significant cost to a computer.
Another solution is to utilize multiple levels of redundant disc
drives to replicate the data into two or more copies. One such
redundant drive approach is called redundant array of independent
discs (RAID). In a RAID device, a RAID controller adds parity data
to the original data before storing it across the array. The parity
data is calculated from the original data such that the failure of
a disc will not result in the loss of the original data. For
example, RAID 5 uses three discs to protect data from the failure
of a single disc. The parity data, and associated redundancy
overhead data, reduces the storage capacity of three independent
discs by one third (e.g., n-1=capacity). RAID 6 can recover from a
loss of two discs and requires a minimum of four discs with a
storage capacity of n-2.
While RAID addresses the memory device failure issue, it is not
without its own failure issues that affect its effectiveness,
efficiency and security. For instance, as more discs are added to
the array, the probability of a disc failure increases, which
increases the demand for maintenance. For example, when a disc
fails, it needs to be manually replaced before another disc fails
and the data stored in the RAID device is lost. To reduce the risk
of data loss, data on a RAID device is typically copied on to one
or more other RAID devices. While this addresses the loss of data
issue, it raises a security issue since multiple copies of data are
available, which increases the chances of unauthorized access.
Further, as the amount of data being stored grows, the overhead of
RAID devices becomes a non-trivial efficiency issue.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing
system in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing
core in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
distributed storage processing unit in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid
module in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example embodiment of error coded data
slice creation in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a file
system hierarchy in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
distributed storage network 160 that includes a plurality of DSN
memories in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 8 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
storing a data object in a distributed storage network in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a store
request message in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a user
vault in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 11 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
determining one or more storage requirements in accordance with the
invention;
FIG. 12 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
determining one or more DSN attributes for a plurality of DSN
memories in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 13 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
selecting one of the plurality of DSN memories in accordance with
the invention;
FIG. 14 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a
method for selecting one of a plurality of DS processing units in
accordance with the invention;
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a
distributed storage network in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 16 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
authenticating a user device in accordance with the invention;
and
FIG. 17 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for
aggregating billing information in accordance with the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computing system 10 that
includes one or more of a first type of user devices 12, one or
more of a second type of user devices 14, at least one distributed
storage (DS) processing unit 16, at least one DS managing unit 18,
at least one storage integrity processing unit 20, and a
distributed storage network (DSN) memory 22 coupled via a network
24. The network 24 may include one or more wireless and/or wire
lined communication systems; one or more private intranet systems
and/or public internet systems; and/or one or more local area
networks (LAN) and/or wide area networks (WAN).
The DSN memory 22 includes a plurality of distributed storage (DS)
units 36 for storing data of the system. Each of the DS units 36
includes a processing module and memory and may be located at a
geographically different site than the other DS units (e.g., one in
Chicago, one in Milwaukee, etc.). The processing module may be a
single processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such
a processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller,
digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit,
field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state
machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,
and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital)
based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational
instructions. The processing module may have an associated memory
and/or memory element, which may be a single memory device, a
plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of the
processing module. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory,
random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static
memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any
device that stores digital information. Note that if the processing
module includes more than one processing device, the processing
devices may be centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together
via a wired and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly
located (e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local
area network and/or a wide area network). Further note that when
the processing module implements one or more of its functions via a
state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic
circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the
corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or
external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog
circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further
note that, the memory element stores, and the processing module
executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding
to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in FIGS.
1-17.
Each of the user devices 12-14, the DS processing unit 16, the DS
managing unit 18, and the storage integrity processing unit 20 may
be a portable computing device (e.g., a social networking device, a
gaming device, a cell phone, a smart phone, a personal digital
assistant, a digital music player, a digital video player, a laptop
computer, a handheld computer, a video game controller, and/or any
other portable device that includes a computing core) and/or a
fixed computing device (e.g., a personal computer, a computer
server, a cable set-top box, a satellite receiver, a television
set, a printer, a fax machine, home entertainment equipment, a
video game console, and/or any type of home or office computing
equipment). Such a portable or fixed computing device includes a
computing core 26 and one or more interfaces 30, 32, and/or 38. An
embodiment of the computing core 26 will be described with
reference to FIG. 2.
With respect to the interfaces, each of the interfaces 30, 32, and
38 includes software and/or hardware to support one or more
communication links via the network 24 and/or directly. For
example, interface 30 supports a communication link (wired,
wireless, direct, via a LAN, via the network 24, etc.) between the
first type of user device 14 and the DS processing unit 16. As
another example, DSN interface 32 supports a plurality of
communication links via the network 24 between the DSN memory 22
and the DS processing unit 16, the first type of user device 12,
and/or the storage integrity processing unit 20. As yet another
example, interface 38 supports a communication link between the DS
managing unit 18 and any one of the other devices and/or units 12,
14, 16, 20, and/or 22 via the network 24.
In general and with respect to data storage, the system 10 supports
three primary functions: distributed network data storage
management, distributed data storage and retrieval, and data
storage integrity verification. In accordance with these three
primary functions, data can be distributedly stored in a plurality
of physically different locations and subsequently retrieved in a
reliable and secure manner regardless of failures of individual
storage devices, failures of network equipment, the duration of
storage, the amount of data being stored, attempts at hacking the
data, etc.
The DS managing unit 18 performs distributed network data storage
management functions, which include establishing distributed data
storage parameters, performing network operations, performing
network administration, and/or performing network maintenance. The
DS managing unit 18 establishes the distributed data storage
parameters (e.g., allocation of virtual DSN memory space,
distributed storage parameters, security parameters, billing
information, user profile information, etc.) for one or more of the
user devices 12-14 (e.g., established for individual devices,
established for a user group of devices, established for public
access by the user devices, etc.). For example, the DS managing
unit 18 coordinates the creation of a vault (e.g., a virtual memory
block) within the DSN memory 22 for a user device (for a group of
devices, or for public access). The DS managing unit 18 also
determines the distributed data storage parameters for the vault.
In particular, the DS managing unit 18 determines a number of
slices (e.g., the number that a data segment of a data file and/or
data block is partitioned into for distributed storage) and a read
threshold value (e.g., the minimum number of slices required to
reconstruct the data segment).
As another example, the DS managing unit 18 creates and stores,
locally or within the DSN memory 22, user profile information. The
user profile information includes one or more of authentication
information, permissions, and/or the security parameters. The
security parameters may include one or more of
encryption/decryption scheme, one or more encryption keys, key
generation scheme, and data encoding/decoding scheme.
As yet another example, the DS managing unit 18 creates billing
information for a particular user, user group, vault access, public
vault access, etc. For instance, the DS managing unit 18 tracks the
number of times a user accesses a private vault and/or public
vaults, which can be used to generate a per-access bill. In another
instance, the DS managing unit 18 tracks the amount of data stored
and/or retrieved by a user device and/or a user group, which can be
used to generate a per-data-amount bill.
The DS managing unit 18 also performs network operations, network
administration, and/or network maintenance. As at least part of
performing the network operations and/or administration, the DS
managing unit 18 monitors performance of the devices and/or units
of the system 10 for potential failures, determines the device's
and/or units'activation status, determines the devices' and/or
units' loading, and any other system level operation that affects
the performance level of the system 10. For example, the DS
managing unit 18 receives and aggregates network management alarms,
alerts, errors, status information, performance information, and
messages from the devices 12-14 and/or the units 16, 20, 22. For
example, the DS managing unit 18 receives a simple network
management protocol (SNMP) message regarding the status of the DS
processing unit 16.
The DS managing unit 18 performs the network maintenance by
identifying equipment within the system 10 that needs replacing,
upgrading, repairing, and/or expanding. For example, the DS
managing unit 18 determines that the DSN memory 22 needs more DS
units 36 or that one or more of the DS units 36 needs updating.
The second primary function (i.e., distributed data storage and
retrieval) begins and ends with a user device 12-14. For instance,
if a second type of user device 14 has a data object 40, such as a
data file and/or data block, to store in the DSN memory 22, it
sends the data object 40 to the DS processing unit 16 via its
interface 30. As will be described in greater detail with reference
to FIG. 2, the interface 30 functions to mimic a conventional
operating system (OS) file system interface (e.g., network file
system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), file
transfer protocol (FTP), web-based distributed authoring and
versioning (WebDAV), etc.) and/or a block memory interface (e.g.,
small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer
system interface (iSCSI), etc.). In addition, the interface 30 may
attach a user identification code (ID) to the data object 40.
The DS processing unit 16 receives the data object 40 via its
interface 30 and performs a distributed storage (DS) process 34
thereon (e.g., an error coding dispersal storage function). The DS
processing 34 begins by partitioning the data object 40 into one or
more data segments, which is represented as Y data segments. The DS
processing 34 may partition the data object 40 into fixed byte size
segments (e.g., 21 to 2n bytes, where n=>2) or variable byte
size segments (e.g., change byte size from segment to segment, or
from groups of segments to groups of segments, etc.).
For example, in FIG. 1 for each of the Y number of data segments
42a-n, the DS processing 34 error encodes (e.g., forward error
correction (FEC), information dispersal algorithm, or error
correction coding) and slices (or slices then error encodes) the
data segments 42a-n into a plurality of error coded (EC) data
slices 42a-42n and 46a-46n, which are represented as X slices per
data segment. The number of slices (X) per segment, which
corresponds to a number of pillars n, is set in accordance with the
distributed data storage parameters and the error coding scheme.
For example, if a Reed-Solomon (or other FEC scheme) is used in an
X/T system, then a data segment is divided into X number of slices,
where T number of slices are needed to reconstruct the original
data (i.e., T is the threshold). As a few specific examples, the
X/T factor may be 5/3; 6/4; 8/6; 8/5; 16/10.
For each EC slice 44a-n and 46a-n, the DS processing unit 16
creates a unique slice name and appends it to the corresponding EC
slice. The slice name includes universal DSN memory addressing
routing information (e.g., virtual memory addresses in the DSN
memory 22) and user-specific information (e.g., user ID, file name,
data block identifier, etc.).
The DS processing unit 16 transmits the plurality of EC slices
44a-n and 46a-n to a plurality of DS units 36 of the DSN memory 22
via the DSN interface 32 and the network 24. The DSN interface 32
formats each of the slices for transmission via the network 24. For
example, the DSN interface 32 may utilize an internet protocol
(e.g., TCP/IP, etc.) to packetize the EC slices 44a-n and 46a-n for
transmission via the network 24.
The number of DS units 36 receiving the EC slices 44a-n and 46a-n
is dependent on the distributed data storage parameters established
by the DS managing unit 18. For example, the DS managing unit 18
may indicate that each slice is to be stored in a different DS unit
36. As another example, the DS managing unit 18 may indicate that
like slice numbers of different data segments are to be stored in
the same DS unit 36. For example, the first slice 44a and 46a of
each of the data segments 42a-n is to be stored in a first DS unit
36, the second slice 44b and 46b of each of the data segments 42a-n
is to be stored in a second DS unit 36, etc. In this manner, the
data is encoded and stored at physically diverse locations in a
distributed manner to improve data storage integrity and security.
Further examples of encoding the data segments will be provided
with reference to one or more of FIGS. 2-17.
Each DS unit 36 that receives an EC slice for storage translates
the virtual DSN memory address of the slice into a local physical
address for storage. Accordingly, each DS unit 36 maintains a
virtual to physical memory mapping to assist in the storage and
retrieval of data.
The first type of user device 12 performs a similar function to
store data in the DSN memory 22 with the exception that it includes
the DS processing. As such, the device 12 encodes and slices the
data file and/or data block it has to store. The device then
transmits the slices 11 to the DSN memory via its DSN interface 32
and the network 24.
For a second type of user device 14 to retrieve a data file or data
block from memory, it issues a read command via its interface 30 to
the DS processing unit 16. The DS processing unit 16 performs the
DS processing 34 to identify the DS units 36 storing the slices of
the data file and/or data block based on the read command. The DS
processing unit 16 may also communicate with the DS managing unit
18 to verify that the user device 14 is authorized to access the
requested data.
Assuming that the user device is authorized to access the requested
data, the DS processing unit 16 issues slice read commands to at
least a threshold number of the DS units 36 storing the requested
data (e.g., to at least 10 DS units for a 16/10 error coding
scheme). Each of the DS units 36 receiving the slice read command,
verifies the command, accesses its virtual to physical memory
mapping, retrieves the requested slice, or slices, and transmits it
to the DS processing unit 16.
Once the DS processing unit 16 has received a read threshold number
of slices for a data segment, it performs an error decoding
function and de-slicing to reconstruct the data segment. When Y
number of data segments has been reconstructed, the DS processing
unit 16 provides data object 40 to the user device 14. Note that
the first type of user device 12 performs a similar process to
retrieve data object 40.
The storage integrity processing unit 20 performs the third primary
function of data storage integrity verification. In general, the
storage integrity processing unit 20 periodically retrieves slices
48, and/or slice names, of a data object 40 to verify that one or
more slices have not been corrupted or lost (e.g., the DS unit
failed). The retrieval process mimics the read process previously
described.
If the storage integrity processing unit 20 determines that one or
more slices 48 is corrupted or lost, it rebuilds the corrupted or
lost slice(s) in accordance with the error coding scheme. The
storage integrity processing unit 20 stores the rebuilt slice, or
slices, in the appropriate DS unit(s) 36 in a manner that mimics
the write process previously described.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computing
core 26 that includes a processing module 50, a memory controller
52, main memory 54, a video graphics processing unit 55, an
input/output (IO)) controller 56, a peripheral component
interconnect (PCI) interface 58, at least one IO interface 60, IO
device interface module 62, a read only memory (ROM) basic input
output system (BIOS) 64, and one or more memory interface modules.
The memory interface module(s) includes one or more of a universal
serial bus (USB) interface module 66, a host bus adapter (HBA)
interface module 68, a network interface module 70, a flash
interface module 72, a hard drive interface module 74, and a DSN
interface module 76. Note the DSN interface module 76 and/or the
network interface module 70 may function as the interface 30 of the
user device 14 of FIG. 1. Further note that the IO device interface
module 62 and/or the memory interface modules may be collectively
or individually referred to as IO ports.
The processing module 50 may be a single processing device or a
plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be a
microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,
microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate
array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,
analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that
manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of
the circuitry and/or operational instructions. The processing
module 50 may have an associated memory and/or memory element,
which may be a single memory device, a plurality of memory devices,
and/or embedded circuitry of the processing module 50. Such a
memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory,
volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic
memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that stores
digital information. Note that if the processing module 50 includes
more than one processing device, the processing devices may be
centrally located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired
and/or wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located
(e.g., cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area
network and/or a wide area network). Further note that when the
processing module 50 implements one or more of its functions via a
state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic
circuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the
corresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, or
external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog
circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further
note that, the memory element stores, and the processing module 50
executes, hard coded and/or operational instructions corresponding
to at least some of the steps and/or functions illustrated in FIGS.
1-17.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dispersed
storage (DS) processing module 34 of user device 12 and/or of the
DS processing unit 16. The DS processing module 34 includes a
gateway module 78, an access module 80, a grid module 82, and a
storage module 84. The DS processing module 34 may also include an
interface 30 and DSN interface 32 or the interfaces 30 and/or 32
may be part of user 12 or of the DS processing unit 14. The DS
processing module 34 may further include a bypass/feedback path
between the storage module 84 to the gateway module 78. Note that
the modules 78-84 of the DS processing module 34 may be in a single
unit or distributed across multiple units.
In an example of storing data, the gateway module 78 receives an
incoming request with a data object 40. The incoming request may
also include a user ID field 86, an object name field 88 and other
corresponding information such as a process identifier (e.g., an
internal process/application ID), metadata, a file system
directory, a block number, a transaction message, a user device
identity (ID), a data object identifier, a source name, and/or user
information. The gateway module 78 authenticates the user
associated with the data object by verifying the user ID 86 with
the managing unit 18 and/or another authenticating unit.
When the user is authenticated, the gateway module 78 obtains user
information from the management unit 18, the user device 12-Source
14, and/or the other authenticating unit. The user information
includes a vault identifier, operational parameters, and user
attributes (e.g., user data, billing information, etc.). A vault
identifier identifies a vault, which is a virtual memory space that
maps to a set of DS storage units 36. For example, vault 1 (i.e.,
user 1's DSN memory space) includes eight DS storage units (X=8
wide) and vault 2 (i.e., user 2's DSN memory space) includes
sixteen DS storage units (X=16 wide). The operational parameters
may include an error coding algorithm, the width n (number of
pillars X or slices per segment for this vault), a read threshold
T, a write threshold, an encryption algorithm, a slicing parameter,
a compression algorithm, an integrity check method, caching
settings, parallelism settings, and/or other parameters that may be
used to access the DSN memory layer.
The gateway module 78 uses the user information to assign a source
name 35 to the data object 40. For instance, the gateway module 60
determines the source name 35 of the data object 40 based on the
vault identifier and the data object 40. For example, the source
name may contain a file identifier (ID), a vault generation number,
a reserved field, and a vault identifier (ID). As another example,
the gateway module 78 may generate the file ID based on a hash
function of the data object 40. Note that the gateway module 78 may
also perform message conversion, protocol conversion, electrical
conversion, optical conversion, access control, user
identification, user information retrieval, traffic monitoring,
statistics generation, configuration, management, and/or source
name determination.
The access module 80 receives the data object 40 and creates a
plurality of data segments 1 through Y 42a-n in accordance with a
data storage protocol (e.g., file storage system, a block storage
system, and/or an aggregated block storage system). The number Y of
data segments may be fixed with a segment size depending on the
data object size or the number of segments may vary with a fixed
segment size. For example, when the number Y of segments is chosen
to be a fixed number, then the size of the segments varies as a
function of the size of the data object. For instance, if the data
object is an image file of 4,194,304 eight bit bytes (e.g.,
33,554,432 bits) and the number of segments Y=131,072, then each
segment is 256 bits or 32 bytes. As another example, when the
segment size is fixed, then the number of segments Y varies based
on the size of data object. For instance, if the data object is an
image file of 4,194,304 bytes and the fixed segment size of each
segment is 4,096 bytes, then the number of segments Y=1,024. Note
that each segment is associated with the same source name 35.
The grid module 82 receives the Y data segments 42a-n and may
manipulate (e.g., compression, encryption, cyclic redundancy check
(CRC), etc.) each of the data segments 42a-n before performing an
error coding function of the error coding dispersal storage
function to produce a pre-manipulated data segment. After
manipulating a data segment, if applicable, the grid module 82
error encodes (e.g., Reed-Solomon, Convolution encoding, Trellis
encoding, etc.) the data segment or manipulated data segment into X
error coded data slices 44a-n and 46a-n.
The value X, or the number of pillars (e.g., X=16), is chosen as a
parameter of the error coding dispersal storage function. Other
parameters of the error coding dispersal function include a read
threshold T, a write threshold W, etc. The read threshold (e.g.,
T=10, when X=16) corresponds to the minimum number of error coded
data slices required to reconstruct the data segment. In other
words, the DS processing module 34 can compensate for X-T (e.g.,
16-10=6) missing error coded data slices per data segment. The
write threshold W corresponds to a minimum number of DS storage
units that acknowledge proper storage of their respective data
slices before the DS processing module indicates proper storage of
the encoded data segment. Note that the write threshold W is
greater than or equal to the read threshold T (i.e., W.gtoreq.T)
for a given number of pillars (X).
For each data slice of a data segment, the grid module 82 generates
a unique slice name 37 and attaches it thereto. The slice name 37
includes a universal routing information field and a vault specific
field and may be 48 bytes (e.g., 24 bytes for each of the universal
routing information field and the vault specific field). As
illustrated, the universal routing information field includes a
slice index, a vault ID, a vault generation, and a reserved field.
The slice index is based on the pillar number n and the vault ID
and, as such, is unique for each pillar (e.g., slices of the same
pillar for the same vault for any segment of a data object will
share the same slice index). The vault specific field includes a
data name, which includes a file ID and a segment number (e.g., a
sequential numbering of data segments 1-Y of a simple data object
or a data block number).
Prior to outputting the error coded data slices of a data segment,
the grid module may perform post-slice manipulation on the slices.
If enabled, the manipulation includes slice level compression,
encryption, CRC, addressing, tagging, and/or other manipulation to
improve the effectiveness of the computing system.
When the error coded (EC) data slices of a data segment are ready
for storage, the grid module 82 determines which of the DS storage
units 36 of the DSN memory 22 will store the EC data slices based
on a dispersed storage memory mapping associated with the user's
vault and/or DS storage unit 36 attributes. The DS storage unit
attributes may include availability, self-selection, performance
history, link speed, link latency, ownership, available DSN memory,
domain, cost, a prioritization scheme, a centralized selection
message from another source, a lookup table, data ownership, and/or
any other factor to optimize the operation of the computing system.
In an embodiment, the number of DS storage units 36 of DSN memory
22 is equal to or greater than the number of pillars (e.g., X) so
that no more than one error coded data slice of the same data
segment is stored on the same DS storage unit 36. Further note that
EC data slices of the same pillar number but of different segments
(e.g., EC data slice 1 of data segment 1 and EC data slice 1 of
data segment 2) may be stored on the same or different DS storage
units 36.
The storage module 84 performs an integrity check on the outbound
encoded data slices and, when successful, identifies a plurality of
DS storage units based on information provided by the grid module.
The storage module then outputs the encoded data slices 1 through X
of each segment 1 through Y to the DS storage units. Each of the DS
storage units 36 stores its EC data slice(s) and maintains a local
virtual DSN address to physical location table to convert the
virtual DSN address of the EC data slice(s) into physical storage
addresses.
In an example of a read operation, the user device 12 and/or 14
sends a read request to the DS processing 34, which authenticates
the request. When the request is authentic, the DS processing 34
sends a read message to each of the DS storage units 36 storing
slices of the data object being read. The slices are received via
the DSN interface 32 and processed by the storage module 84, which
performs a parity check and provides the slices to the grid module
82 when the parity check is successful. The grid module 82 decodes
the slices in accordance with the error coding dispersal storage
function to reconstruct the data segment. The access module 80
reconstructs the data object from the data segments and the gateway
module 78 formats the data object for transmission to the user
device.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a grid
module 82 that includes a control unit 73, a pre-slice manipulator
75, an encoder 77, a slicer 79, a post-slice manipulator 81, a
pre-slice de-manipulator 83, a decoder 85, a de-slicer 87, and/or a
post-slice de-manipulator 89. Note that the control unit 73 may be
partially or completely external to the grid module 82. For
example, the control unit 73 may be part of the computing core at a
remote location, part of a user device, part of the DS managing
unit 18, or distributed amongst one or more DS storage units.
In an example of a write operation, the pre-slice manipulator 75
receives a data segment 42 and a write instruction from an
authorized user device. The pre-slice manipulator 75 determines if
pre-manipulation of the data segment 42 is required and, if so,
what type. The pre-slice manipulator 75 may make the determination
independently or based on instructions from the control unit 73,
where the determination is based on a computing system-wide
predetermination, a table lookup, vault parameters associated with
the user identification, the type of data, security requirements,
available DSN memory, performance requirements, and/or other
metadata.
Once a positive determination is made, the pre-slice manipulator 75
manipulates the data segment 42 in accordance with the type of
manipulation. For example, the type of manipulation may be
compression (e.g., Lempel-Ziv-Welch, Huffman, Golomb, fractal,
wavelet, etc.), signatures (e.g., Digital Signature Algorithm
(DSA), Elliptic Curve DSA, Secure Hash Algorithm, etc.),
watermarking, tagging, encryption (e.g., Data Encryption Standard,
Advanced Encryption Standard, etc.), adding metadata (e.g.,
time/date stamping, user information, file type, etc.), cyclic
redundancy check (e.g., CRC32), and/or other data manipulations to
produce the pre-manipulated data segment.
The encoder 77 encodes the pre-manipulated data segment 42 using a
forward error correction (FEC) encoder (and/or other type of
erasure coding and/or error coding) to produce an encoded data
segment 94. The encoder 77 determines which forward error
correction algorithm to use based on a predetermination associated
with the user's vault, a time based algorithm, user direction, DS
managing unit direction, control unit direction, as a function of
the data type, as a function of the data segment 42 metadata,
and/or any other factor to determine algorithm type. The forward
error correction algorithm may be Golay, Multidimensional parity,
Reed-Solomon, Hamming, Bose Ray Chauduri Hocquenghem (BCH),
Cauchy-Reed-Solomon, or any other FEC encoder. Note that the
encoder 77 may use a different encoding algorithm for each data
segment 42a-n, the same encoding algorithm for the data segments
42a-n of a data object, or a combination thereof.
The encoded data segment 94 is of greater size than the data
segment 42 by the overhead rate of the encoding algorithm by a
factor of X/T, where X is the width or number of slices, and T is
the read threshold. In this regard, the corresponding decoding
process can accommodate at most X-T missing EC data slices and
still recreate the data segment 42. For example, if X=16 and T=10,
then the data segment 42 will be recoverable as long as 10 or more
EC data slices per data segment are not corrupted.
The slicer 79 transforms the encoded data segment 94 into EC data
slices in accordance with the slicing parameter from the vault for
this user and/or data segment 42. For example, if the slicing
parameter is X=16, then the slicer slices each encoded data segment
94 into 16 encoded slices.
The post-slice manipulator 81 performs, if enabled,
post-manipulation on the encoded slices to produce the EC data
slices. If enabled, the post-slice manipulator 81 determines the
type of post-manipulation, which may be based on a computing
system-wide predetermination, parameters in the vault for this
user, a table lookup, the user identification, the type of data,
security requirements, available DSN memory, performance
requirements, control unit directed, and/or other metadata. Note
that the type of post-slice manipulation may include slice level
compression, signatures, encryption, CRC, addressing, watermarking,
tagging, adding metadata, and/or other manipulation to improve the
effectiveness of the computing system.
In an example of a read operation, the post-slice de-manipulator 89
receives at least a read threshold number of EC data slices and
performs the inverse function of the post-slice manipulator 81 to
produce a plurality of encoded slices. The de-slicer 87 de-slices
the encoded slices to produce an encoded data segment 94. The
decoder 85 performs the inverse function of the encoder 77 to
recapture the data segment 42. The pre-slice de-manipulator 83
performs the inverse function of the pre-slice manipulator 75 to
recapture the data segment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of slicing an encoded data
segment 94 by the slicer 79. In this example, the encoded data
segment includes thirty-two bits, but may include more or less
bits. The slicer 79 disperses the bits of the encoded data segment
94 across the EC data slices in a pattern as shown. As such, each
EC data slice does not include consecutive bits of the data segment
94 reducing the impact of consecutive bit failures on data
recovery. For example, if EC data slice 2 (which includes bits 1,
5, 9, 13, 17, 25, and 29) is unavailable (e.g., lost, inaccessible,
or corrupted), the data segment can be reconstructed from the other
EC data slices (e.g., 1, 3 and 4 for a read threshold of 3 and a
width of 4).
FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a file
system hierarchy including a plurality of user virtual memories in
a virtual DSN address space 148, a virtual dispersed storage
network (DSN) address to physical location table 142, and a
physical dispersed storage network (DSN) memory 22. The file system
hierarchy is an illustration of translating a user virtual memory
address space 152 into a virtual dispersed storage network (DSN)
address space 148 and then to a physical address in a DSN memory
22. In this illustration, the physical DSN memory 22 includes a
plurality of DS storage units 36 (e.g., A, C, D, and F). In an
example, where there are four pillars, there are four slices (X=4)
created for each of Y data segments. Pillars can be allocated to
more than one DS storage unit, but a given DS storage unit is not
generally assigned to store more than one pillar from a given
file/data object of a user vault to improve system robustness
(e.g., avoiding loss of multiple slices of a data segment as a
result of a single DS storage unit failure).
In an embodiment, one of the plurality of user virtual memories
152a-n utilizes a native OS file system to access the virtual DSN
address space 148 by including source name information in requests
such as read, write, modify, delete, list, etc. A vault identifier
in the source name and/or a file/block name may be used to index
the virtual DSN address space 148 to determine a user vault. A
unique virtual vault is associated with each user (e.g., an
individual, a group of individuals, a business entity, a group of
business entities, etc.) and may contain operational parameters
(described with more detail with respect to FIG. 10), user
attributes (e.g., user identification, billing data, etc.) and a
list of DSN memories 22 and a plurality of storage units 36 for a
DSN memory 22 that may be utilized to support the user.
In an example, the total virtual DSN address space 148 is defined
by a forty-eight byte identifier thus creating 25648 possible slice
names. The virtual DSN address space 148 accommodates addressing of
EC data slices corresponding to segments of data objects (e.g.,
data file, blocks, streams) over various generations and vaults.
The slice name is a virtual DSN address and remains the same even
as different DS memories 22 or DS storage units 36 are added or
deleted from the physical DSN memory 22.
A user has a range of virtual DSN addresses assigned to their
vault, user virtual memory 152a-n. For instance, the virtual DSN
addresses typically do not change over the operational lifespan of
the system for the user. In another instance, the virtual DSN
address space 148 is dynamically altered from time to time to
provide such benefits as improved security and expansion,
retraction, and/or capability. A virtual DSN address space 148
security algorithm may alter the virtual DSN address space 148
according to one or more of a command (e.g., from the DS managing
unit 18), a schedule, a detected security breach, or any other
trigger. The virtual DSN address may also be encrypted in use thus
requiring encryption and decryption steps whenever the virtual DSN
address is used.
The vault and file name index used to access the virtual DSN
address space 148 and to create the slice names (virtual DSN
addresses) may also be used as an index to access the virtual DSN
address to physical location table 142. For example, the virtual
DSN address to physical location table 142 is sorted by vaults and
pillars so that subsequent addresses are organized by pillar of the
file data segments of a data object that have EC data slices with
the same slice identifier and hence are typically stored at the
same DS storage unit (e.g., slices having a first pillar identifier
are stored in DS storage unit A of DSN memory 22). The output of
the access to the virtual DSN address to physical location table
142 is the DSN memory identifier 154 and DS storage unit
identifiers 156. A source name, data segment header and/or slice
name may include the DSN memory identifier 154 and/or DS storage
unit identifiers 156.
The slice names may be used as the virtual index to the memory
system of each DS storage unit 36 of a particular DS memory 22 to
gain access to the physical location of the EC data slices. In this
instance, the DS storage unit 36 of the DS memory 22 maintains a
local table correlating slice names (virtual DSN address) to the
addresses of the physical media internal to the DS storage unit 36.
For example, user number 1 has a vault identified operational
parameter of four pillars and pillar 0 is mapped to DS storage unit
A of DSN memory 22, pillar 1 is mapped to DS storage unit C of DSN
memory 22, pillar 2 is mapped to DS storage unit D of DSN memory
22, and pillar 3 is mapped to DS storage unit F of DSN memory
22.
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
distributed storage network 160 that includes a plurality of DSN
memories 22a-n and a plurality of DS processing units 16a-n. The DS
processing units 16a-n each include a DS processing module 34 and
may be operably coupled to serve each user device 14 or mapped to
support a subset of the user devices 14. For example, DS processing
unit 16a may support user devices 1-100, DS processing unit 16b may
support user devices 101-150, etc. In another embodiment, a user
device 14 may select a DS processing unit 16 based on one or more
DS processing attributes. The DS processing units 16a-n may be of
different DSN providers (e.g., storage service providers),
different private entities (e.g., an enterprise or government
agency), and may have different DS processing attributes. DS
processing attributes include, for example, one or more of
availability, reliability, performance history, link speed, link
latency, service provider, capacity, capabilities, cost, data
ownership, contractual service obligations, and/or other factors.
The DS managing unit 18 receives the DS processing attributes from
the user devices 14 and/or the DS processing units 16 and stores
the DS processing attributes in DS processing attribute database
204.
In an embodiment, each of the DS processing modules 34 in the DS
processing units 16 is operably coupled to a plurality of the DSN
memories 22a-n such that a DS processing module 34 may store or
retrieve data objects on behalf of the user devices 14 to and from
such plurality of DSN memories 22a-n. Each of the DS processing
units 16 may be operably coupled to a same or different plurality
of DSN memories 22a-n.
The network may also include one or more user devices 12 that
include a DS processing module 34. Similarly to the DS processing
units 16, each DS processing module 34 in a user device 12 is
operably coupled to a plurality of the DSN memories 22a-n such that
the DS processing module 34 in the user device 12 may store or
retrieve data objects on behalf of the user device 12 to and from
such plurality of DSN memories 22a-n.
The DSN memories 22a-n may be of different DSN providers (e.g.,
storage service providers), different private entities (e.g., an
enterprise or government agency), and may have different DSN
attributes. For example, DSN attributes include one or more of
number of DS units, geographic diversity of DS units, geographic
location, load, availability, reliability, performance history,
link speed, link latency, service provider, capacity (such as
available DSN memory), capabilities, cost, data ownership,
contractual service obligations, and/or other factors. The DS
managing unit 18 receives the DSN attributes from the DSN memories
22, the DS units 36, the user devices 12, 14 and/or the DS
processing units 16 and stores the DSN attributes in DSN attribute
database 202. The DSN memories 22a-n and/or DS managing unit 18
provides the DS processing modules 34 (in user device 12 and DS
processing units 16) with the DSN attributes to assist in selection
of a DSN memory 22.
FIG. 8 illustrates a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a
method 170 for storing data objects in the distributed storage
network 160. In step 172, one or more storage requirements for
storing a data object in one of a plurality of DSN memories 22 are
determined. The storage requirements include, for example, one or
more of number of DS units, physical diversity of DS units,
availability, reliability, performance history, link speed, link
latency, service provider, capacity (such as available DSN memory),
capabilities, cost, data ownership, contractual service
obligations, and/or other factors. In step 174, one or more DSN
attributes associated with each of a plurality of DSN memories
22a-n is determined. The one or more DSN attributes are compared
with the one or more storage requirements in step 176 and one of
the plurality of DSN memories is selected to produce a selected DSN
memory in step 178. In an embodiment, DS processing module 34 in DS
processing unit 16 determines the selected DSN memory 22. In
another embodiment, the user device 12, 14 determines the selected
DSN memory 22. In yet another embodiment, the user device 14
determines the selected DSN memory 22 with assistance from the DS
processing unit 16.
The data object is partitioned into a plurality of data segments,
and the data segments are processed to generate a plurality of
encoded data slices based on an error encoding dispersal function.
The plurality of encoded data slices is then transmitted to the
selected DSN memory 22. A message is sent to the DS managing unit
18 to update the vault registry for the user device 14, 16 with the
selected DSN memory for the data object. The DS managing unit 18
updates the DSN memory ID field 154 and Storage Unit ID field 156
for the data object in the virtual DSN address to physical location
table 142.
FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a
store request message. In an embodiment, a user device 12, 14
transmits a store request message 180 to a DS processing module 34
(either in the user device 12 or in a DS processing unit 16)
requesting to store a data object in the distributed storage
network 160. The store request message 180 includes a packet header
182 having for example, a user ID field 186, object name field 188,
transaction type field 190, source name field 192 and payload
length field 194. The transaction type field 190 identifies the
packet as a store request and includes a transaction identifier.
The payload 184 of the store request message 180 includes one or
more storage requirements 196a-n. In an embodiment, the store
request message 180 also includes one or more requirement
priorities 198a-n associated with the storage requirements 196a-n.
For example, a first higher priority level may be assigned to a
first storage requirement and second lower priority assigned to a
second storage requirement, such as a higher priority to a cost
level D and a lower priority to a geographic region preference of
region R. The payload 184 further includes a data object priority
field 162 and a data object 40.
In operation, DS processing module 34 receives a store request
message 180 and authenticates the user ID to determine
authorization for the requested transaction type. The DS processing
module 34 requests authentication from the DS managing unit 18 or
accesses a local authentication control list to determine
authentication as described further herein. When authenticated, the
DS processing module 34 processes the source name field 192
information in the store request 180 to determine a vault
identifier to index the user vault in the virtual DSN address space
148. When a source name is not available, the DS processing module
34 utilizes the user ID and object name to index the user vault in
the virtual DSN address space 148. The DS processing module 34 then
processes the one or more storage requirements and associated
requirement priorities to determine the selected DSN memory as
described herein.
FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of
certain parameters associated with a user vault 200. The parameters
associated with a user vault 200 shown in FIG. 10 may also include
other fields not described herein. The parameters illustrated in
FIG. 10 may be stored in the user vault 200 or other resource, such
as a user file, parameter database, file/block index, URL, etc.
that is implemented in the managing unit 18, DS processing unit 16
or a DS processing module 34. The operational parameters 202
include vault identifier field 204, vault generation field 206,
error encoding scheme field 212, slice number X field 214 (e.g.,
number of pillars n for the user vault), threshold number T field
216, a fixed segment number Y field 208 and/or a Fixed Segment Size
Field 210.
In an embodiment, the operational parameters 202 also include one
or more data object priority level storage requirement fields
218a-n. The fields 218a-n include one or more storage requirements
(with any associated requirement priorities) for a particular data
object priority level. The fields 218a-n may be included in another
resource, such as a user file, parameter database, file/block
index, URL, etc. that is implemented in the managing unit 18, DS
processing unit 16 or a DS processing module 34. In this
embodiment, a DS processing module 34 receives a store request
message 180 with a data object priority field 162 and accesses the
one or more data object priority level storage requirement fields
218a-n to determine storage requirements and associated requirement
priorities based on the data object priority. For example, for a
data object with a high priority level, cost may have a lower
requirement priority while reliability has a higher requirement
priority.
The user vault 200 in FIG. 10, or other resource associated with
user vault 200, also stores data object files 220a-n with data
segment information specific to data objects, including data object
name field 224, DSN memory ID field 154 and storage unit ID field
156. The DS managing unit 18 updates the DSN memory ID field 154
and Storage Unit ID field 156 for the plurality of encoded data
slices of the data object in the user vault 200 and/or the virtual
DSN address to physical location table 142. When a data object is
stored in a selected DSN memory 22, the DSN memory ID field 154 is
updated with the selected DSN memory and the Storage Unit ID field
156 is updated with a storage unit ID for each pillar of encoded
data slices of the data object 40. A data segment header, source
name and/or slice name may also be updated with the with the
selected DSN memory or storage unit ID for the plurality of encoded
data slices.
FIG. 11 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a
method 300 for determining one or more storage requirements for
storing a data object 40. In step 302, a priority level of a data
object 40 is determined. For example, a priority level for a data
object 40 is determined from the user device 12, 14, from the store
request message 180, etc. In step 304, one or more storage
requirements are determined based on the priority level of the data
object 40 and in step 306, a requirement priority for each of the
one or more storage requirements is determined. The storage
requirements and associated requirement priorities are determined
based on the one or more data object priority level-storage
requirement fields 218a-n stored in the user vault 200 or in a user
device 12, 14 and/or in a DS processing unit 16. In another
embodiment, the storage requirements and associated requirement
priorities are determined based on the store request message
180.
FIG. 12 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a
method 360 for determining one or more DSN attributes for a
plurality of DSN memories 22a-n. In an embodiment, the DSN
attributes are periodically received by the DS managing unit 18,
user device 12, 14, and/or DS processing units 16 in step 362. The
periodic updates of DSN attributes may be transmitted by the DSN
memories 22a-n or DS units 36. In step 364, a status request is
transmitted to one of the plurality of DSN memories 22 by the DS
managing unit 18, user device 12, 14, and/or DS processing units
16. The status request includes a request for a status update of
one or more DSN attributes of the DSN memory 22 or one or more of
the DS units 36. In step 366, the status update response is
received. In an embodiment, the DS managing unit 18 receives the
DSN attributes from the DSN memories 22, the DS units 36, the user
devices 12, 14 and/or the DS processing units 16 and stores the DSN
attributes in DSN attribute database 14. The DS managing unit 18
then provides periodic updates, or updates in response to a
request, to the user devices 12, 14 and DS processing units 16 of
the DSN attributes.
FIG. 13 illustrates a logic flow diagram that illustrates an
embodiment of a method 380 for selecting one of the plurality of
DSN memories based on a comparison with one or more storage
requirements and one or more DSN attributes. In step 382, a storage
requirement is compared to DSN attributes of a plurality of DSN
memories. For example, if the storage requirement is 99.999%
availability, then the DSN attribute of availability for each of
the plurality of DSN memories 22 is compared to 99.999%
availability. In step 384, it is determined whether the comparison
is favorable, e.g. whether a DSN memory has an availability of
99.999% or better. If no, then the process goes to step 390 to
determine whether additional storage requirements need to be
compared.
When one or more DSN memories 22 have a favorable comparison, then
the process proceeds to step 386 to determine whether the storage
requirement has an associated requirement priority. If yes, then in
step 388, the one or more DSN memories with a favorable comparison
are assigned a weight or priority in accordance with the
requirement priority. For example, if the storage requirement of
99.999% availability had a high requirement priority, then the DSN
memories with a favorable comparison are assigned a greater weight
when selecting the DSN memory. The process then proceeds to step
390 to determine whether additional storage requirements need to be
compared and if so, the comparison of storage requirements
continues at step 382.
When the storage requirements have each been compared, and weights
assigned to DSN memories with favorable comparisons, then one of
the DSN memories is selected in step 392 to produce a selected DSN
memory. An address update message is then transmitted to the DS
managing unit 18 with the selected DSN memory in step 394.
FIG. 14 is a logic flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of a
method 400 for selecting one of a plurality of DS processing units
16 to support a user device 14. As shown in FIG. 7, the DS
processing units 16a-n may be operably coupled to support a subset
of the user devices 14. For example, DS processing unit 16a may
support user devices 1-100, DS processing unit 16b may support user
devices 101-200, etc.
In another embodiment, a user device 14 may select a DS processing
unit 16 based on one or more DS processing attributes. In another
embodiment, the DS managing 18 selects a DS processing unit 16 for
a user device 14 based on one or more DS processing attributes. The
DS processing attributes include one or more of availability,
reliability, performance history, link speed, link latency, service
provider, capacity, capabilities, cost, data ownership, contractual
service obligations, and/or other factors. For example, a DS
processing unit 16a may support certain error dispersal functions
while another DS processing unit 16b supports additional or
different error dispersal functions. The DS processing unit 16 may
be selected to be utilized by a user device 14 for a predetermined
period of time, for processing a predetermined number of data
objects, for processing data objects having a certain priority
level or for each data object separately.
In step 402, one or more desired processing requirements are
determined. The processing requirements may also be assigned a
priority level. In step 404, one or more DS processing attributes
are determined for each of the plurality of DS processing units 16.
The DS processing attributes may be provided by the DS managing 18
or by the DS processing units 16 themselves. The one or more
processing requirements are compared with the one or more DS
processing attributes of each of the plurality of DS processing
units in step 406, and then one of the DS processing units is
selected to produce a selected DS processing unit in step 408.
FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a
distributed storage network 420. The DS processing units 16a-n each
include a DS processing module 34 and may be operably coupled to
serve each user device 14 or mapped to support a subset of the user
devices 14. In an embodiment, each of the DS processing modules 34
(in the user device 12 and in the DS processing units 16) is
operably coupled to a plurality of the DSN memories 22a-n such that
a DS processing module 34 may store or retrieve data objects on
behalf of the user devices 14 to and from such plurality of DSN
memories 22a-n. Each of the DS processing units 16 may be operably
coupled to a same or different plurality of DSN memories 22a-n. The
distributed storage network 420 may also include one or more user
devices 12 that include a DS processing module 34. Similarly to the
DS processing units 16, each DS processing module 34 in a user
device 12 is operably coupled to a plurality of the DSN memories
22a-n such that the DS processing module 34 in the user device 12
may store or retrieve data objects on behalf of the user device 12
to and from such plurality of DSN memories 22a-n.
In an embodiment, the DS managing unit 18 maintains a master access
control list (ACL) 420. The master ACL 420 includes user
registrations of authorized user devices 12, 14 and authorized
transactions for such registered user devices 12, 14. In an
embodiment, a new user device registers with the DS managing unit
18 which then includes a user registration of the user device and
its authorized transactions on the master ACL 420. To facilitate
the authorization process, the DS managing unit 18 provides a local
access control list (ACL) 422a-n to one or more of the plurality of
DS processing units 16a-n. The local ACL 422 includes user
registrations for user devices served by the DS processing unit.
Since a user device 14 may utilize different DS processing units 16
from time to time, the DS managing unit 18 may include a user
registration on one or more local ACLs 422a-n.
In another embodiment, a new user device registers with a DS
processing unit 16 which then adds the user registration to its
local ACL 422. The DS managing unit 18 receives the local ACLs
422a-n periodically and aggregates the local ACL registration
information into the master ACL 420. The DS processing module 34 in
user device 12 typically does not receive a local ACL 422, and the
user device 12 must obtain authorization from the DS managing unit
18.
FIG. 16 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 440
for authenticating a user device. In operation, a user device 14
transmits a transaction request message (store, read, modify, etc.)
to one of the plurality of DS processing units 16a-n. The
transaction request message includes the user ID and a requested
transaction (e.g., store, retrieve, or delete a data object). The
DS processing unit 16 receives the transaction request message in
step 442 and verifies whether the user device is authorized to
perform the requested transaction by accessing the local ACL 422 in
step 446. When the DS processing unit 16 determines that the user
registration is on the local ACL 422 in step 448, the process goes
to step 456 wherein the user device is authorized for the requested
transaction. When the DS processing unit 16 determines that the
user registration is not on the local ACL 422 in step 448, it then
accesses the master ACL 420 to verify whether the user device is
authorized to perform the requested transaction in step 450. When
the user registration is on the master ACL in step 452, in an
embodiment, the DS processing unit 16 adds the user registration to
its local ACL 422 in step 454. The DS processing unit 16 then
authorizes the user device for the requested transaction in step
456. When the DS processing unit 16 determines that the user
registration is not in the local ACL 422 or in the master ACL 420,
the DS processing unit 16 requests the user device 14 to perform a
registration process (e.g., account creation, credit card info
provided, etc.) in step 458.
Referring back to FIG. 15, the distributed storage network 420
further includes a billing records database 424. In an embodiment,
the user devices 12, 14, DS processing units 16a-n, DSN memories
22a-n generate billing information based on user transactions. The
billing information is transmitted to the DS managing unit 18 which
aggregates the billing information by transaction ID and user ID
into one or more billing records. For example, when a DS processing
unit 16 receives a store request message 180 for a data object 40,
it generates billing information based on this transaction, such as
amount of data processed for the transaction, data object byte
size, etc. The DS processing unit 16 then transmits the billing
information with a transaction ID and user ID to the DS managing
unit 18.
In an embodiment, the DS processing unit 16 stores transaction
records for user devices that it serves in a local registry and
generates billing information based on the transaction records. For
example, the DS processing unit 16 may generate billing information
on how much data each user device stores and how often the data is
retrieved. The DS processing unit 16 may then send the billing
information to the DS managing unit 18 for aggregation.
FIG. 17 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of a method 460
for aggregating billing information in a distributed storage
network. In step 462, billing information is generated in response
to a user requested transaction. For example, the transaction may
include a store request, write request, delete request, modify
request, etc. The billing information may be generated by the user
device 12, 14, the DS processing unit 16, the DS managing unit 18,
DSN memory 22 and/or DSN units 36. The billing information is
transmitted to the DS managing unit 18 or other billing
server/module, for aggregation with other billing information into
one or more billing records for a user in step 464. In an
embodiment, the billing information is aggregated based on a
transaction ID and user ID. Billing statistics may also be
generated based on the billing information, such as daily usage
statistics, average bytes stored daily, etc.
As may be used herein, the term(s) "coupled to" and/or "coupling"
and/or includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect
coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item
includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a
circuit, and/or a module). As may further be used herein, inferred
coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by
inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items
in the same manner as "coupled to". As may even further be used
herein, the term "operable to" indicates that an item includes one
or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform
one or more its corresponding functions and may further include
inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further
be used herein, the term "associated with", includes direct and/or
indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded
within another item.
The present invention has also been described above with the aid of
method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions
and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these
functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily
defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries
and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and
relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate
boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the
claimed invention.
The present invention has been described above with the aid of
functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain
significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building
blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of
description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the
certain significant functions are appropriately performed.
Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily
defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To
the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence
could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain
significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both
functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences
are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One
of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional
building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and
components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete
components, application specific integrated circuits, processors
executing appropriate software and the like or any combination
thereof.
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